Remain or leave? The case of Brexit

“We did it”. Nigel Farage and his far-right and anti-EU party, United Kingdom Independence Party, celebrated the ‘leave’ result on the referendum the day after the 23 of June 2016. With a surprisingly 51,9 percent of the British population voted leave, Brexit became a reality. The referendum divided the country, as the never used before article 50, in the EU treaty, for leaving the union was activated.

Three main reasons seem to have been influential on the ‘leave’ vote; the economy, the sovereignty, and a showdown with the political elite. The anti-political elitism seems to have been especially decisive for the voters’ decision across the political spectrum, as a protest to the establishment in London and Brussel.

The British world view has traditionally been centered on three entities: The empire, the special relationship with the US and Europe. Often in that order. Many Britons on the far-right longs to the glory of the imperial past and still identify the UK as a world power, which can be compared to the American counterpart, the alt-right movement. Thus, they believe that the UK has been constrained by the EU bureaucracy and centralism.

The UK has historically had an awkward relationship with the EU, since UK’s membership in 1973. Politicians have often emphasized the economic gains of being part of the single market but showed contempt with the precedence EU law has on the UK juridical system. Especially the freedom of movement for EU workers, has been a pain in the back for the right-wing media. Headlines such as “immigrants bring more crime”, “Britain must ban migrants” and “Slash benefits for EU migrants” have been common in tabloids, such as the Daily Express and the Daily Mail.

The battle against the EU galvanized Nigel Farage and UKIP. Despite only having a single seat in the national Parliament, they gained the most votes in the 2014 European Parliament elections, with almost 27 percent of the votes. UKIP has been a deciding factor for the ‘leave’ result, backed by the anti-EU media. However, UKIP has lost its impact on British politics after the referendum. Thus, has the far-right movement outplayed its own role after the referendum?

The consequences of Brexit are difficult to predict, but economic forecasts have indicated a decline in the economic growth, even resulting in recession, a brain drain, lower living standards and an exodus of international financial corporations. Despite the predicted consequences the political establishment is still inclined to fulfill Brexit and seems to be backed by the British voters. Why?

Questions

What was the main reasons for leaving the EU?

Why has the UK always been ambiguous towards Europe?

Think about why the populists could have such an impact on the EU referendum

Try to explain why a division on the EU vote has been influenced by social standing, geography, living area and age.

Write a letter to the paper of either the guardian, pro-EU, or the Daily Mail, anti-EU, and explain why the UK should either leave or remain in the EU.

Key terms: Brexit (the word combination of Britain and exit), populism, far-right, EU-divorce, article 50 (An EU treaty article: a member state has two years from the date of activation, to negotiate an exit deal or leave on less favorable terms), trade, immigration, freedom of movement (One of the four freedoms established in the EU treaty. It is legal to travel and take labor in other EU member states), anti-elitism (Protests against the elite in the society), sovereignty, democracy, European Court of Justice (The EU court that oversees the EU law is implemented and followed by the member states), media